Calderon had 15 points, three assists and no turnovers in 27 minutes as the Pistons lost, 99-85, at Madison Square Garden.

Jose Calderon was cleared to play for the Detroit Pistons when they take on the New York Knicks Monday night. (AP Photo)

Calderon, a native of Spain, had worked to resolve visa issues in the days since he was sent to Detroit in a three-team deal centered on small forward Rudy Gay.

Also included in the trade were Calderon’s former teammate Ed Davis and Pistons forwards Austin Daye and Tayshaun Prince, who were shipped to Memphis. Calderon called the trade double-sided, because he was sad to leave Toronto after eight years. At the same time, he was aware Detroit had a high level of interest in him.

“I know Detroit has tried to trade for me for a while, so I’m really happy to be in a situation with a team that really wants you and I’m really happy to start a new part of my career—really happy,” Calderon said, according to Pistons.com.

Before the trade, Calderon started in a two-guard Raptors backcourt with Kyle Lowry. Calderon averaged 11.1 points and 7.4 assists for a team struggling in the Eastern Conference.

The Pistons' backcourt is similarly crowded, with point guards Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum playing significant minutes. While they have multiple guards, no Detroit player averages more than 4.5 assists on a team that turns the ball over 15.1 times per game.

Calderon is one of the NBA’s better ball-handlers, with a 4.4 assists-to-turnover ratio prior to Monday, second only to Chris Paul, who is held up as the NBA’s best point guard. The Pistons’ new floor general will use his passing ability to feed young big men Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.

“The young guys are developing,” Calderon said. “Drummond is having a great, great year. I think it’s a big surprise for everybody to develop this quick. There’s a little bit of everything on this team, so that’s good. Complete players.”